1. Descriptive Writing

2. Descriptive writing
A writer cannot use gestures, facial expressions or voice to convey a meaning like in a conversation
A writer cannot use colour, shape, motion or sound like in a movie
A writer can only use words to entertain, or to convey experience and meaning
Descriptive writing appeals to our senses (sight, hearing, touch, smell, taste) and our feelings
It uses strong nouns and verbs with some poetic devices such as similes, metaphors, and hyperboles
It conveys a purpose

3. Purpose
Listing off flowery sentences is not sophisticated writing. The best writing is one in which the purpose is strong and meaningful. It can be directly stated or it can be inferred. Regardless, having a clear purpose of why you are writing the piece guides your details, your point of view, your tone and your imagery

4. What is your point of View?
The point of view in your writing enhances the purpose of your writing. It allows the reader to witness certain details or be excluded.
Skillful authors can fix their readers attention on exactly the detail, opinion, or emotion the author wants to emphasize
In photography, it is objective- we cannot “hear” the thoughts of the subject
In writing, you can choose:
First person- inside the head of one person using “I”
Limited omniscient- inside the head of one person using “he” or “she”
Omniscient-inside the head of many characters
Objective- like a movie camera, no thoughts

5. What details need to be included?
It is important to create imagery out of our senses: hear, see, touch, taste, smell and feel(emotions) but sometimes the author does not need to add every detail as it becomes too “wordy” and the reader loses interest. Adding details enhances the writing but it must be related to the purpose

6. Imagery and vocabulary
The author wants the reader to be able to feel like they are there, in the scene. A talented writer can create imagery that allows the reader to feel the emotions, see what the character sees, feel it, taste it, hear it. This is created by using strong nouns and verbs with some appropriate adjectives to add detail. It can also create the mood (emotional feeling)

7. Tone
The emotional attitude of the piece also plays a role in developing purpose. Notice the difference:
“The veteran gazed up at the soaring aircrafts. ” vs “The veteran stared at the menacing aircraft.”

8. Mood
What emotional atmosphere are you trying to create? Mood is usually conveyed through the setting and the language (“The women screamed in excitement as the crashing wave chased the motorbike”)